Natural Remedies for Acne

If drugstore, chemical-laden products aren’t getting rid of your acne, or you’re just tired of drenching your skin with strange chemicals and substances day after day, there are plenty of natural remedies for acne that can be used as an alternative. Used regularly, many have the potential of being more effective them drugstore products.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is prized for it’s antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. It can be used for all sorts of ailments from dandruff to foot fungus, but it is also a great natural acne remedy. It can be thought of as the natural version of benzoyl peroxide, but it doesn’t work exactly the same. After all, they are two difference substances.

Start with a tea tree oil face wash such as those I’ve listed below. Using it as a face wash is a great way to get it on your skin in a lower concentration. Always test it on your arm or leg first in a small spot to make sure you don’t have any reactions to it first.

      

If you have more severe acne, use tea tree oil as a topical treatment. Purchase a bottle of tea tree oil in pure form. Dilute the oil to 2% to 10% with water and apply to your skin with a cotton swab. Use this as a spot treatment once per day until the acne is gone.
    

Lemon Juice, Apple Cider Vinegar, or Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a common astringent used to fight acne. It is natural and may be less irritating than salicylic acid. Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar can also be used as an astringent. Lemon juice is a little less harsh, but apple cider vinegar may be more effective. Also, lemon juice has a more pleasant fragrance. Whichever you choose to use, use a cotton swab to wipe your skin with it and do not rinse.
      

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a great miracle plant that can do wonders for your body inside and out. If you choose to ingest it, use a food-grade variety and not the type you get at the drugstore. It’s a great non-comodogenic moisturizer and it helps reduce inflammation, a significant part of acne.

Honey

Honey is a substance similar to aloe in that it is a moisturizer, but it also has antibiotic properties. Honey has been used for centuries to help heal wounds. It’s antibiotic properties can also help heal acne, which is also an infection. Apply it to your skin and leave it for at least 5 minutes, then rinse it away with warm water. Regular use will help heal acne and keep your skin moisturized.

Oatmeal and Brown Sugar

Scrubbing your skin is important in order to remove dead skin cells. Oatmeal is great for digestion, but it’s also great used as a moisturizing scrub. Chop it up in the food processor, add some water to form a paste, and scrub it on your skin with your fingertips. Let it sit on your face a little longer to tighten your pores and moisturize. Brown sugar mixed with some olive oil is good for an occasional scrub. It is more effective, but shouldn’t be used too often for the same reason.

Eggs

Egg white whipped to a froth and applied like a mask to your skin for 20 minutes is a great way to tighten your skin and shrink your pores. Use the yolk as a mask to get the benefit of vitamin A, an antioxidant that helps reduce the effects of free radicals that damage and age the skin.